Commissioner Says Louisiana Farmers Could Benefit By Cuba Trade

BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) — Agriculture Commissioner Mike Strain says restarting trade between the U.S. and Cuba would be of enormous benefit to Louisiana.

President Obama on Wednesday said his administration would work toward resuming diplomatic relations and trade with Cuba for the first time in more than 50 years.

Strain, a Republican, tells The Advertiser (http://bit.ly/1z2SWRE) resumed trade would be a boon for the Port of New Orleans. A half-century ago, before the trade embargo with Cuba, 65 percent of all trade goods to and from Cuba traveled through the Port of New Orleans.

Strain said he supports resumed trade despite political differences between the two countries.

Strain said that Cuba has suffered because of poor soil, and even its once touted sugar output has fallen off considerably.

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Information from: The Advertiser, http://www.theadvertiser.com